Zendaya on Aaliyah Role: “If You Want It Done Right, You Have To Do It Yourself”

Haters, hate on. Zendaya will be playing Aaliyah, whether you like it or not!

When it was announced that the Disney star would be channeling “Baby Girl” in the upcoming Lifetime biopic, Aaliyah: Princess of R&B, the 17 year-old faced some harsh criticism. But, when Zendaya stopped by the HipHollywood Loft, the haters were the furthest thing from her mind.

“I auditioned like anyone else and I worked really hard because it’s someone I love and I admire and if you want it done right, you have to do it yourself,” the “Dancing With The Stars” runner-up told HH. She also wanted people to understand that no matter what, this movie will be made and it’s all about honoring Aaliyah’s legacy. “This movie is going to be made one way or another and I think it should be made in the best possible way to show her beauty.”

Production on Aaliyah: Princess of R&B is set to begin this summer, with an air date set for the Fall. Check out our full interview with Zendaya above!

7 Comments

Angelic Vargas

June 25, 2014 at 2:53 AM

This is what I’m gonna need for HER to understand . You say that this is someone that you admire , the person who inspired you …. but you weren’t even born when her first single came out , so what can you possibly know about Aaliyah ? We grew up off of her music .. all of the 90’s kids were influenced by the biggest names in R&B and Aaliyah without a doubt was the top 1 that we adored . We watched her rise in fame as we grew up , it was like she was literally an aunt or a sister to us .. and Zendaya wouldn’t know the first thing about Aaliyah’s music or her life if it wasn’t for GOOGLE. And as far as her skin color goes .. No one cares about her skin . It’s the fact that it’s utterly disrespectful to Aaliyah and her family to get this girl who doesn’t even hold a candle to Aaliyah , someone who doesn’t have the charisma or the talent to play her. I’ve literally watch Zendaya dance she was okay for what it was but I don’t think she quite there to play such a big role . We need someone who’s been in love and been truly heart broken because you need to show those emotions through the camera and certain scenes and she’s 17 ??? What can she possibly know about being in REAL , and GENUINE love and being totally crushed after giving it your all . That’s we need that experience through someone older who’s been through this kind of thing , so that we can get a chance to really see how Aaliyah felt at those certain moment. And Zendaya is a made up crappy actor … Shake it up was HORRIBLE and she lacks that certain package to be Aaliyah . She doesn’t resemble her not ONE bit and there is NOT enough makeup or wishes in the world to get her to look like Aaliyah. Let’s just be honest NO ONE can really play Aaliyah because she was this unique and beautiful spirit that made you smile everytime you saw her . So if they’re gonna do this movie about her life then I’m gonna need for these casting directors to stop smoking that s**t and take this SERIOUSLY because this is DISRESPECTFUL

That has nothing to do with anything. The girl can’t help when she was born. I’m a singer and I can’t stand the artist around now. All I listen to are Luther, Teddy, Stevie, Sam Cooke… And I wasn’t thought of when they came out. Most artists look up to to artists way before there time.

Just curious, but if she feels that the movie is about honoring her legacy, how does she feel about the family’s wishes? The family has been very vocal about not supporting the movie and Aaliyah LOVED her family. So, you are honoring her legacy by disrespecting her family? Okay…

Unfortunately, actors arent always given all the information before signing on the dotted line. Now that she’s made the committment, she has to honor it and Aaliyah by giving the best performance she can. Zendaya will be GREAT in this movie and everyone will be talking about her performance for years to cone for how GREAT it was…just WATCH & SEE!

HipHollywood can confirm that singer, Trey Songz, was arrested on Monday morning on domestic violence charges.

The Los Angeles Police Department tells us that Tremaine Neverson, the r&b crooner’s legal name, was taken into custody around 6:30am. The arrest stemmed from an alleged violent incident on February 18.

We are told the singer was let out on bail, which was set at $50k.

After being released, Songz took to Instagram to respond to the arrest, writing on Twitter:

“For weeks my lawyers & Mgmt have asked me not to comment on this and I initially agreed but this morning I feel that my fam, the women that raised me, my friends & fans especially the youth need to hear from me. I am being lied on and falsely accused for someone’s personal gain”

He added, “I won’t be speaking too much more on this but would like to thank you for all the prayers and support.”

The singer was also clearly unbothered by the arrest because he went as far as to share a string of stories on Instagram, which included him raving about the beautiful day and blasting music throughout his home.

As previously reported, during All Star Weekend, a woman claimed Songz unleashed fury during a Hollywood Hills party after he spotted her talking to another man.

Following the incident, the woman went to the hospital where she was treated before calling police.

The alleged victim’s lawyer, famous women’s rights attorney Lisa Bloom, even took to Instagram earlier this month to ask for any witnesses. “Went with my client today for her second police interview re her allegations that Trey Songz choked and punched her earlier this month,” Bloom tweeted. “Many were present. We need just one to have a conscience and step forward as a witness.”